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History in the making
Cliff Fleet took the helm of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in January 2020 with a mandate to curb declining attendance and revenue at the nation’s largest outdoor living museum while maintaining its relevance to diverse 21st-century audiences. It was a tall order and one that became even more challenging two months late[...]
Richmond nixes Bally’s casino proposal
The city of Richmond has cut the $650 million Bally’s casino proposal from consideration, leaving two competitors, the mayor’s office announced Wednesday morning. The Live! Casino & Hotel proposal by Baltimore-based The Cordish Cos. and ONE Casino and Resort, proposed by Silver Spring, Maryland-based Urban One, a[...]
Va. hotel revenues up 12% in March
Virginia hotel revenues for March 2021 increased by 12% compared with March 2020, according to data released Tuesday by STR Inc., a CoStar Group division that provides market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. During the same period, rooms sold went up by 25%. The average daily rate (ADR) paid for hotel rooms dropped 10% […]
The Omni Homestead Resort gets new managing director
A longtime luxury resort executive, Mark Spadoni, has been hired as managing director for The Omni Homestead Resort, the hotel announced Monday. For the past 20 years, Spadoni has served as the general manager for the AAA Four-Diamond, 403-room Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and Club at Savannah Harbor in Georgia. [...]
Kings Dominion sets minimum wage at $13 for seasonal workers
Kings Dominion, the Doswell amusement park, has set its minimum wage for seasonal employees at $13 per hour, it announced Thursday. Previously, the base wage was $9.25. The park, owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., expects to hire 2,100 seasonal workers before reopening May 22, and it also is hiring 80 new full-time positions[...]
Va. restaurant, hospitality industry seeks $270M+ in relief funding
Hard hit by the pandemic, Virginia’s restaurant and hospitality industry is asking the General Assembly to dedicate more than $270 million from the state’s share of federal American Rescue Plan dollars to assist hotels, restaurants and other hospitality-related industries. In a letter sent Tuesday to members of the state legislature’s money committees, the Virginia Restaurant, […][...]
Va. wedding venue loses suit against governor
On Friday, a federal judge ruled against Franklin County wedding venue Belle Garden Estate and its owner Charles Russell, who sued Gov. Ralph Northam in an attempt to expand the number of people who could attend a wedding under the state’s COVID-19 restrictions. Under current executive orders, businesses can host only 25 people outdoors if […]
Richmond cuts three of six casino proposals
Updated, March 25 The city of Richmond has rejected three of its six casino proposals. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos and Wind Creek Hospitality are no longer in the running, the city confirmed Wednesday night. In late February, the city announced that six casino projects had been submitted for con[...]
Primland resort appoints executive chef
Primland announced Tuesday that Elliot Cunniff has been appointed executive chef of the Meadows of Dan resort. Cunniff comes to Primland from The Soho House, an upscale private club in New York City where he served as executive chef. He got his start working with culinary celebrity Daniel Boulud’s db Bistro Moderne in New York[...]
Hotel revenues down 39% in February
Virginia hotel revenues for February 2021 declined by 39% compared to February 2020, according to data released Thursday by STR Inc., a CoStar Group division that provides market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. During the same period, rooms sold declined by 23%. The average daily rate (ADR) paid for hotel rooms dropped 21% to […]
Northam signs alcohol, ‘games of skill’ bills into law
Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Friday that he has signed several bills into law, including ones that allow for the delivery and take-out of alcoholic beverages and the ban of so-called “games of skill.” House Bill 1879, sponsored by Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax, and Senate Bill 1299, sponsored by state Sen. John Bell, D-Ash[...]
Pamunkey tribe hires EVP of gaming, resort operations
The Pamunkey Indian Tribal Gaming Authority, a non-corporate entity owned by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, announced Thursday that Rodney Ferguson has been hired as executive vice president of gaming and resort operations, effective April 12. He also will serve in a senior leadership role at the tribe’s forthcoming Norfolk ca[...]
